Underfeed stoker



May 31, 1927.

vo. ArAM UNDERFEED STOKER Filed May 1o, 1923 yNEssEs; l

INVENTOR ATTORNEY f May 31, 17927.

o. vARAM f UNDERFEED sToKER Filed May 1o, 1923 V2 shuts-'sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented May 31, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO ARAM, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- TRIO AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

'UNDERFEED STOKER.

Appiication sied may 1o, 1923. serial No. 638,118.

This invention relates to multiple retort underfeed stoker furnaces in which fuel- A feeding retorts and rows of tuyres are alternately arranged in parallel relation and inclined downwardly 'from'the front wall of the furnace toward the dump grate, and it has for an object to provide a grate surface composed of parts of simple and durable construction which may be readily assembled or replaced without materially disturbing other parts of the grate.v

- Another'object of the invention is to provide a retort constructed of fabricated frame members upon which detachable side and bottom plates are mounted, thereby obtaining the advantage of the superior strength and durability of structural iron or steel frames over the usual cast iron retorts which tend to Warp and crack under ,the weight and heat of the' tuyres and fuel bed usually supported by the retorts. By making the supporting frame, the side and bottom walls and the tuyere banks detachable and sectional, any part may be removed in case of failure Without necessitating the removal of thez'retorts and without disturbing any other parts, except possibly parts contiguous to the part to be replaced.

A further object of my invention is to provide a retort frame which shall carry the refuse discharging mechanism or dump grate at'the rear of the under-feed grate and which shall carry the ram box and hopper casting at the front ofthe retorts. The lateral strains imposedupon the dump grate and ram box supports aie quite severe and frequently cause failure of the cast iron retorts usually employed to support them in position, since the re`torts are subject-ed to uneven temperatures and rapid temperature variations and are taxed to their full capacity in supporting the tuyeies and fuel bed resting thereupon. The structural or fabricated retort frames of the present invention are enabled to withstand 'the strains imposed upon them by the refuse discharging and the fuel-feeding mechanisms and by the load of the fuel bed, and are also better adapted to withstand the temperaturey varatons incident to the operation of high duty furnaces without deformation or failureof the supporting elements.

VThese and other objects are attained by means of a Stoker construction embodyiiir the features herein described and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming ing the sections of the retort side plates;

Figs. 6 and 7 are views in transverse section taken through a ram box on lines VI-VI and VIL-VII, respectively, of Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View in longitudinal section through the center of the ram box and retort, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a front frame member employed in supporting the retort frame and showing the retort frame in place. I

Referring to the drawings, I show an underfeed stoker composed of a plurality of units 10 disposed 1n side-by-side relation upon front and rear transverse beams 11 and l2. Each unit comprises a retort frame consisting of a front frame member 15 and a rear frame member 16, supported on the transverse beams 11 and 12, respectively, and in length equal to the distance between the axes of the adjacent tuyre banks 17 when the units are in assembled position. Two beam members 18 extend longitudinally of the retort frame and are secured to the end frame members 15 and 16 in a'manner hereinafter described.

The front frame member 15 consists of a single casting of U section, viewed from the end, the U facing rearwardly of the Stoker. The casting is provided with a pair of transversely extending webs 2() spaced away from "the ends thereof. Between the Webs 20 are formed a pair of slots 21 for the 'reception of the beam members 18. and having at their bases a pair of supporting lugs 22. The slots 21 are spaced apart-a suiic'ientdistance for thel beam members 18 to provide vthe proper Width for the retort 10. The beam members extend forwardly beyond the member 15 as shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 9.

' The rear retort frame member 16 has a rear wall 25, which closes the end of the vretort frame against air leakage to the ash pit, spaced webs 2,6 and end Webs 27. The

' to form ledges upon which side retort plates 30 are carried, Each retort side is made up of a number of plates 30 secured to each other and to the angle-iron 18. A strong juncture of the plates is effected by theemployment of a spldige plate 31, which lies in an inset in 'tl meeting edges of the plates, in order to produce a smooth interior surface for the retort, and clamp plates 32 exterior to the joint. Bolts 33 passing through splice plate 31, side wall plates 30, angleiron 18 and clamp .plate 32, cooperate with the bolts 34 near the upper edge of the plates to hold the side wall plates 30 ofthe retort rigidly in place.

The side plates 30 are provided with longitudinally extending ribs 36 upon which are disposed bottom plates 37.- The ribs 36, 'l

as shown, extend at angle to the upper edges of the side plates 30 in such a manner as to form a retort of decreasing depth. The upper edge of each plate 30 is provided with a notched flange 39 which serves to support the tuyre plates 17 in place. i

The portions of the angle-irons 18 which extend forwardly of the front `frame mem# ber 15 carry a ram box casing 40 which, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, vand 8, is provided at its forward? end with legs '41 which rest upon the angle-irons 18 yand are secured thereto by bolts 42, and at its rear end has a rectangular base 44 whichkfits into the channel support formed by the angle-lrcns and is secured thereto by studs 45.

Reinforcingmembers 50 are disposed on either end of the front frame member 15 and serve to hold the upper free ends of the foremost side wall plates 30 rigidly in position. The reinforcing members 50 are pref.-

. shown, in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided with yrearwardly extending brackets 56 in which the shaft 57 of`the grate is carried. The dump grate section is preferably of the same width as the length of the rear frame member 16.

From -theabove description it is seen that I have provided a unit which embraces the principal elements of an underfeed Stoker. and that all of the parts thereof are carried by a retort frame composed of but four members to wit: front and rear frame members 15 and 16 .and two longitudinally extending be'ams 18.A Upon this fabricated retort frame, the ram box, the retort side walls, the retort bottom walls, and the dump grate are carried. The assembly of a plurality of these units in side-by-side relation upon the transverse beams' 11 and 12 and the disposition of the .tuyre banks upon the retort side walls of adjacent sections permits the yformation of stokers of various widths.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various. other changes and modificationsv without departing fromv the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

bustion grate formed of alternately disposed retorts and tuyre rows, a retort frame lcomprising a front end member, a rear end member, each said member being equal in length to the distance between the axes of 1. In an underfeed -stoker having a comadjacent tuyre rows of the assembled combustion grate, beam means extending from the rear member to the front member and means for securing the beam means to said end members, whereby the said endumembers protrude beyond the beam means to serve as spacersfor an assembly of retort frames.

2. In an underfeed stoker having a combustion grate formed of alternately disposed retorts and tuyre rows, a retort frame' comprising a front end member, a rear end member, each said member being equal in length to the distance between the axes of adjacent tuyre rows of the assembled combustion grate, beam means extending from the rear member to the front member. means for securing the beam means to said 'end members, whereby the said members protrude beyond the beam means to serve as spacers for an assembly of retort frames, and reinforcing members disposed above and secured-to the beam means and to the protruding portions of said front end member.

3. In an underfeed Stoker having a com-4 bustion grate formed of alternately disposed retorts and tuyre rows. a retort frame comprising a front end member, a rear end member, each said member beiner equal in Y member, and means for -securing the beam members to said end members, whereby the end members protrude beyond the beam members to serve as spacers for an assembly of retort frames. l

4. In an underfeed stoker having a' com bustion grate formed of alternately disposed retorts and tuyre rows, a retort frame comprising a front end member, a rear end member, two parallel beam members extending from the rear member to the front member, the front end member having intermediately spaced inwardly-extending openings in which the beam members rest, and the rear end member having centrally spaced ribs to which the rear ends of the beam members are secured, and means for securing all the said members together to forma rigid retort frame.

5, In an underfeed stoker having a combustion grate formed of alternately disposed retorts and tuyre' rows,l a retort frame comprising a front end member, a 'rear end member, two parallel beam members secured to said end members and extending forwardly of the front end member and a ram box mounted on said beam members forwardly of the front end member.

6. In an underfeed stoker having a combustion grate formed of alternately disposed retorts and tuyre rows, a retort frame comprising a front end member, a rear end member, two parallel beam members, and means for securing the beam members to central portions of said' end members, the beam members extending forwardly of the front end member and a ram box mounted on said beam members forwardly of thefront end -member. I

7 In an underfeed stoker having a combustion grate formed of alternately disposed retorts andtuyre rows, a unit retort comprising a frame having a front end member,

a rear end member, and two parallel beam members extending from the rear `member to t-he front member, plates carried by said beam members to form the retort side walls, said plates having integrally formed ribs thereon, and plates carried by said ribs anddisposed between the side wall plates to forni the bot-tom of the retort. y

8. In an underfeed stoker having a com-l bustion grate formed of longitudinally extending retorts supporting parallel rows of tn vere plates therebetween, a unit section comprising a retort frame having a front end member, a rear end member, two beam members therebetween and means for securing said beam members to intermediate portions of said" end members; plates carried by the beam members to form retort side walls;- plates carried by and disposed between said side wall plates to form a retort bottom; and a ram box member, said beam members extending forwardly of the front vtuyre plates therebetween, a unit section comprlsing a retort frame having a front end member, a rear end member, two beam members therebetween and means for securing said beam members to said end members; plates carried by thebeam lmembers to form retort side walls; plates carried by and disposed between said side wall plates .to form a retort bottom; a ram box member, said beam members extending forwardly of the front end members and supporting saidram box member in position; and. a dump grate, said rear end member having rearwardly disposed brackets in lwhich said dump grate is carried.

10. In an underfeed stoker having a combustion grate formed of longitudinally eX- tending retorts supporting parallel rows of tuyre plates therebetween, a unit section comprising a retort frame having a front endl member, arear end member, each said member being equal in lengthl to the distance between the axes of adjacent tuyre rows of the assembled combustion grate, means for securing the beam means to said end members intermediate the tuyr'e rows, whereby the said members protrude beyond the beam means to serve as spacers for an assembly of retort frames and reinforcing members disposedabove and secured to the protruding portions of said front end member, and a ram box member, said beam members extending forwardly of the front end members andl supporting said ram box member in position 'in contact with the forwardly disposed faces of said frontend member` and said reinforcing members.

11. Aniunderfeed stoker including a plurality of units disposed in side-byfside relation', each unit comprising a retort frame having a front end member, -a rear end member, two beam members therebetween and means for securing said beam members to said end members; plates carried by the beam members to form retort-.iside walls; plates carried by and disposed between said v side wall plates to form va retort bot-tom; and tuyre members extending between and carried by the upper edges of the side wall plates of adjacent sections.

12. An underfeedstoker including a plurality of un-its disposed in side-by-side relation, each unit comprising a vretort frame having a front end member, a rear end member, -two beam members therebetween; plates carried. by the beam members to form retort side walls; plates carried by and disposed between said side wall plates to form a retort bottom; each said end memberbeing equal in width to distance between the axes of adjacent tuyre rows of the assembledL combustion grate, means for securing lche beam means to said end members intermediate the tuyre rows, whereby the said members protrude beyond the beam means to serve as spacers for an assembly of retort frames, reinforcingl members disposed above and secured to the protrudingr por# tions of said front endmember, and a ram box member` said beam members extending forwardly of the front end member and supportingsaid ram box member in position in contact with the lforwardly disposed faces of said front end member and said reinforcing members.

1 3. An underfeed stoker including a plurality of units disposed in side-by-side relation, each unit comprising a retort frame having a front end member, a rear end member, two beam members therebetween and means for securing said beam members to said end members; plates carried by the beam members to form retort side walls; plates carried by and disposed between said side wall plates to form a retort bottom; tuyre members extending between and ,carcried by the upper edges of the side wall plates of adjacent, sections; a transverse beam supporting the rear end members of the several sections, means for securing the rear end members in contiguous relation one to the other.l a transverse beam supporting lthe front end member, and means for securmg the front end members in contiguous relation one to the other, whereby the stoker when assembled forms a rigid fabricated whole which is carried upon the two said transverse beams.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of May OTTO ARAM. 

